When her father walked in, Ellie jumped excitedly to her feet. ‘Father, this is my sister Pearl and her husband, Dave.’
Pearl appeared slightly flustered at having the distinguished man in her front room, almost curtsying when she greeted him. ‘Thank you for bringing Queenie to see us, sir. She hasn’t been out of our minds all these years.’
‘I’m sure she hasn’t.’ He shook hands with both of them, and then looked at the baby on the floor, who was studying his highly polished shoes with fascination. ‘And who is this?’ He swept the baby up high, making it gurgle in surprise.
‘That’s our Jimmy. He’s just over a year old, sir.’ Pearl reached out for the dribbling baby. ‘I’ll take him, shall I?’
‘He’s all right with me, aren’t you little fellow?’ The baby blew bubbles when he gurgled this time, but Albert wasn’t at all concerned, and sat down holding him on his knees.
Pearl lurched forward to wipe the baby’s mouth and nose. ‘He’ll dribble all over you if he isn’t kept well mopped up.’
Albert smiled. ‘It won’t be the first time.’
Dave laughed. ‘You look as if you’re used to kids.’
‘I have a nephew I used to look after when he was a baby.’ He glanced at Ellie, amusement in his eyes. ‘Eleanor was too old to dribble on me when she came to us, but her language was colourful.’
That had everyone in the room laughing. Ellie felt for her father. He loved children and should have had hoards of them running around him.
‘I’ll bet it was.’ Jack chuckled. ‘She spent too much time with Harry, and he could cuss with the best of them.’
At the mention of this brother, Ellie sat forward. ‘Do you know where Harry is?’
‘No, we’re sorry.’ Pearl shook her head. ‘After you’d gone, Harry demanded to know where you were being taken. When Mum and Dad said they didn’t know, that was more than he could take and he exploded. He received a thrashing from Dad and then walked out and we’ve never seen or heard from him again.’
The disappointment was crushing. Ellie had been told that she’d cried repeatedly for Harry, more than anyone else. ‘But how old was he?’
‘Twelve.’
‘That is appalling.’ The baby was struggling to get down, so Albert put him back on the floor. ‘How would a child of that age survive on his own?’
‘We don’t know.’ Jack’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘God knows where he went. We searched high and low for him, but he’d just vanished. He’d loved little Queenie an’ couldn’t take what had happened.’
‘Oh.’ She looked at her father, eyes pleading.
‘I’ll get a man on to the search right away. Don’t upset yourself, my dear, we’ll find him if at all possible.’ Albert turned his attention back to Jack. ‘What about the others?’
‘Ted’s in Hammersmith an’ we see him from time to time. Maggie went into service an’ has moved around so much that we’ve lost contact with her. She always was a bit of an outsider and couldn’t wait to get away. Lord knows where Bert is, and the last we heard of Tommy he was runnin’ with a rough crowd. Charlie an’ June died.’ Jack nodded to his sister. ‘What about that tea?’
As Pearl left the room, Ellie sighed. ‘It doesn’t look as if we’ll be able to find everyone, does it?’
‘It might not be possible, Eleanor, but we’ll do our best. Jack, will you tell me how old you all are now?’
‘Well, let me see … Ted’s the oldest at thirty, I’m next at twenty-eight, Harry twenty-seven, Maggie twenty-five, Pearl twenty-four, Bert twenty-three, Tommy twenty-two, and then there was June and Charlie who died a couple of years after Queenie left. So, that would make our little sister nearly eighteen.’
Ellie nodded. ‘Yes, in January.’
Pearl returned carrying a tray of tea and a home-made fruit cake. This was all laid carefully on the small table by the window. The best china had obviously been brought out for the occasion.
Standing up, Ellie went over to help serve the tea. ‘Your cake smells delicious, Pearl, and what a lovely tea service. The decoration of purple pansies is very pretty.’
‘Do you like it?’ She smiled broadly. ‘Dave bought it for me as a present after Jimmy was born. Do you think your … er … dad would like a piece of cake?’ she asked quietly.
‘I’m sure he would, but do go and ask him.’ She touched her sister’s arm. ‘Don’t be afraid of him. He’s the kindest man you could ever wish to meet.’
Pearl shuffled uncomfortably. ‘You both look and talk posh. We ain’t used to mixing with such folk. He’s a real gent.’
Ellie didn’t want them to feel uneasy. It was right that her father was shown respect because of his station in life, but she wanted to be accepted. ‘And I’m your sister. For the first two and a half years of my life I lived with all of you in Whitechapel. Underneath the finery and upper class accent I’m still Queenie Bonner. I’m not ashamed of that, and neither is my father.’
‘No, I don’t think you are, or you wouldn’t be here.’ Pearl relaxed a little.
Ellie leant forward and whispered in her ear. ‘I got expelled from two schools for fighting.’
With a shriek of glee, Pearl spun round to face her brother. ‘Jack, Queenie got slung out of two schools for fighting. Do you remember how she always jumped into the middle of us when we was having a scrap?’
He roared, slapping his thigh. ‘We couldn’t stop her. Harry got the worst of it every time. She did love to lay into him, calling him a coward when he wouldn’t fight back.’
Albert was amused by their memories. ‘She has never tolerated injustice of any kind, and has not hesitated to defend her beliefs, and my reputation, with her fists.’
‘She was a right little tearaway, and it don’t sound like she’s changed much.’ Pearl was now completely at ease. ‘Would you like a piece of cake with your tea, sir? I made it this morning.’
‘I would indeed.’
Once they were all served, Ellie sat down again, eager to find out more about her family. ‘Jack, I understand that I was very attached to Harry. Would you tell me what he was like?’
‘He was a nice kid. Probably the best of the lot of us, and everyone liked him. He was always cheerful with never a bad word to say about anyone, until you were sent away.’ He shook his head, his expression sad as he remembered. ‘He couldn’t abide cruelty, and you being taken away like that was too much.’
‘Dad nearly killed him.’ Pearl’s voice was husky. ‘We searched for months, but there was no sign of him. We don’t know if he’s dead or alive. He’d burst with joy if he could see you now.’
‘I wish I could remember you all, but I can’t.’ Ellie hurt to imagine the suffering one young boy had experienced in wanting to protect her.
‘You was little more than a baby when you were taken away, and you had a new life. The memories of the old one were bound to fade in time.’ Jack squeezed her hand. ‘But we’re very pleased to see you all grown up and looking well.’
‘Would you like more tea, sir?’ Dave took Albert’s cup. ‘And another piece of cake?’
‘That would be most acceptable. Pearl is a fine cook.’
‘Ah, she’s a wonder in the kitchen.’ He gave his wife an affectionate glance as he poured the tea and sliced the cake.
‘You have a comfortable home,’ Albert said to Pearl, before turning his attention to the two men. ‘How do you earn a living?’
‘Me and Jack have got our own business,’ Dave told him with a touch of pride. ‘It’s a small ironmongers and cobblers shop. Nothing grand, but we earn enough to pay the rent and buy food. We’re good at mending shoes. Learnt the trade from one of the best cobblers in the business, and when he died we decided to go it alone.’
‘Best move we ever made.’ Jack joined the conversation. ‘We’re getting a reputation for good work.’
‘Well done.’ Albert was impressed. ‘That’s the way to build up a loyal cliental. Are you married, Jack?’
‘I could now the business is doing all right.’ He grinned. ‘But I haven’t met anyone I want to settle down with yet.’
Pearl laughed. ‘Tell the truth, Jack. You don’t want a wife; you’re too content on your own.’
‘I admit it suits me fine. The shop is enough for me at the moment.’
Ellie was delighted to know that at least two of her family were working to improve their lives.
Albert removed a small black leather case from his pocket. Flipping the lid open he handed Jack a calling card. ‘That’s where we live, and we would appreciate knowing if you hear any news about your other brothers and sisters.’
This action startled Ellie. Her father had been adamant that they should not know where they lived, but he was obviously happy for Jack to have the information, or he wouldn’t have given it to him. Her father was a good judge of character though, and Ellie was more than a little relieved that her forgotten family appeared to be hardworking, respectable people. It was a comfort because after yesterday she’d had grave doubts about the Bonners.
‘Thank you, sir.’ Jack tapped the card. ‘This is very trusting of you, and we won’t make a nuisance of ourselves, but it will be nice to know where our little sister is now.’
‘I’m sure it will.’ Albert stood up. ‘Would you give us the address of your brother in Hammersmith. We’ll have time to call on him before catching our train.’
‘You’re going now?’ Pearl looked alarmed. ‘Jack?’
‘I’d better come with you.’ He gave his sister a reassuring glance.
‘Is there a problem?’ Albert frowned.
‘I’d better explain. Ted’s in a bit of a mess. His wife died in childbirth eighteen months ago and he started drinking heavy, so much so that he lost his job. He ain’t got over losing Annie. We’ve done all we can to help him, but he don’t want to know.’
‘Is he violent?’
‘I wouldn’t put it as strong as that, sir. He gets fighting mad at times, but he holds himself in check around us.’ Jack sighed. ‘It ain’t like him, but he adored his missus.’
‘She was very nice,’ Pearl said sadly. ‘We ain’t been able to shake him out of the grief an’ he drinks to try an’ forget, but we all know that don’t help any. Once you sober up the problems are still there, only worse. That’s what’s happened to Ted. If you see him, don’t judge him too harshly, sir. He’s really a good man.’
‘I understand. What do you want to do, Eleanor?’
‘If Jack is willing to come with us then I’d like to see him. That’s if you don’t mind, Father? We might be able to help.’ She was dismayed by the news, but it had been naive of her to believe that they would all be like Pearl and Jack. Ted had obviously suffered a great loss and she could empathise with that. ‘We must see him.’
‘I agree.’ Albert turned to Jack. ‘We’ll go now, if that is convenient for you? The cab is waiting for us at the end of the road. We shall, of course, bring you back.’
‘I’ll just get my coat.’
Pearl hugged Ellie. ‘This has been the most lovely surprise. Please come and see us again.’
‘I will. Often.’
‘Thank you for bringing her, sir.’ This time Pearl didn’t look as if she wanted to curtsy when addressing Albert. ‘This can’t have been easy for you.’
He smiled wryly. ‘I admit to being dismayed when my daughter wanted to find her family, but now I’ve met you, she was quite right to do so. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Pearl, and thank you for your hospitality.’
Jimmy, who had been very well behaved while they had been there, began pulling on Albert’s trousers, telling him a tale in his own baby language. Albert bent down and swept him up. ‘That’s very interesting, young man. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, as well.’
Pearl laughed at the exchange, and then took her baby from Albert, resting him on her hip for comfort.
‘Right, I’m ready.’ Jack came back, stopped in front of his sister and squeezed her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be able to handle Ted between us.’
After Ellie and her father had shaken hands with Dave, they left the house. And as they made their way to the cab, she couldn’t help worrying about what they were going to find in Hammersmith.